UNITED KINGDOM – ATTACK ON TWO SOLDIERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
UGANDA / BURUNDI / AMISOM / PLANE CRASH
EGYPTIAN MEDIATION / SUDAN
GILAD SHALIT
FRANCE / QATAR / SUDAN
UNITED KINGDOM – ATTACK ON TWO SOLDIERS IN NORTHERN IRELAND
France firmly condemns the killing of two soldiers on Saturday, March 7 in County Antrim, Northern Ireland.
Over the past few years, France supported the peace efforts of the British government and the various Northern Ireland political parties who achieved the power-sharing agreement of March 26, 2007. The May 8, 2007 formation of a Northern Ireland government bringing together the main parties closed a tragic chapter in the history of this part of Europe.
France remains determined to support the British and Northern Ireland governments in their efforts to fight terrorism and consolidate the peace process.
Bernard Kouchner, Minister of Foreign and European Affairs sent a message yesterday to his British counterpart, David Miliband:
Dear Secretary of State, Dear David,
I was appalled to learn of the attack on the Massereene army barracks in Northern
Ireland which killed two British soldiers and injured many people.
In these sad circumstances, allow me to express to you my sincere condolences and
convey my heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved and the British people.
(complimentary close, with handwritten addition)./.
UGANDA / BURUNDI / AMISOM / PLANE CRASH
It is with great sadness that we learn of the plane crash this morning in Uganda.
We extend our condolences to the families and loved-ones of the victims, as well as to the Ugandan and Burundi authorities.
We honor the memory of the Ugandan and Burundi servicemen of the African Union Mission in Somalia who were killed in this accident, and we pay tribute to AMISOM’s courageous commitment in the service of peace in Somalia.
[…]
Do you support the Egyptian proposition made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, in a message to his counterparts of UN Security Council member states, the UN Secretary-General, and the African Union leadership, for an international conference on Sudan, in order to jointly assess the problems facing the country?
We have just learned of this proposition. We are going to discuss it with our partners in the international community, notably with our European partners in the UN Security Council.
[…]
Do you have knowledge of recent evidence transmitted by Hamas (cassette and letter), proving that Sgt. Shalit is still alive?
No, we have no such knowledge.
[…]
At the conclusion of his meeting with Bernard Kouchner, the Prime Minister of Qatar deemed the arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir a hindrance to his country’s efforts for a resolution to the crisis in Darfur. What is your reaction?
We think that the process of international justice should proceed at the same time as the quest for peace in Darfur.
We call on all parties to work towards the conclusion of an effective and inclusive peace agreement, which will relieve the people of Darfur of their suffering./.